From:	cjsigal@netcom.com (Chuck Sigal)
Subject: Berkeley Action Update
Message-ID: <cjsigalDqrBKu.7B5@netcom.com>
Organization: Berkeley Buggy Bums
Date:	Wed, 1 May 1996 16:43:42 -1000

    First I want to thank all of you who have responded to our cry for 
help and urge those who haven't to please Join the Fight for Truth, 
Justice and the American Way. :-) Ah, if only we were living in Metropolis.
    On Monday I spent the morning doing 'The City Hall Shuffel'. The
issue, for me, at this point in time, centers around the legal power of a
city manager to legislate by proclimation. ie. Depriving citizens of their
right engage in a lawful activity until such time as that activity can be
made illegal. 
    I first tried to meet with the city attorney. I was told that she was
unavailable. Her assistant, furthermore, refused to make an appointment
for me suggesting instead that I take up the matter with the Department of
Public Works.
    They had no idea what I was talking about and suggested that I speak
to John Alderson the Director (?) of parks and waterfront.( Don
Coykendahl's boss) He told me that he was completely unaware of Don's
actions. When I asked that he explain to me how it is that the marina
manager is empowered to legislate by fiat (I had to explain that 'fiat'
means proclimation) his response was that he was new and though he had not
read the Marina Rules and Regulations himself 'there must be something in
there that gives them the power to do so.' OO-OK He then asked to put me
on hold while he asked Don. When he came back on the line he said "Don
tells me that anything not specifically allowed is prohibited." (Oh really?
This is BERKELEY, perhaps the most progressive city in the world, and I'm
hearing this kind of bulls_ _t?) He did however offer to mail me a copy of
the 'Rules and Regulations' to which I responded that I would prefer to
pick them up myself. He agreed and I did so. 
    I spent the afternoon reading through them waiting for a return 
call from the City Manager, Weldon Rucker under whose authority the 
marina manager derives his power.
    Well I waited in vain. But there is certainly nothing in the Rules 
and Regs that suggests that the marina manager can make up the rules as 
he goes along!
    On Tuesday I placed another call to Mr. Rucker, This time he was in a 
meeting. I left another message and asked that he please return my calls.
NO SUCH LUCK. Today I called again. SAME OLD S_ _T. He won't return my calls.
    Boy am I getting a headache. 
    Tomorrow I go for the Mayor. What do you think my chances are? Slim 
to None?
    Well there is one bright note. Richard Cornwell of Skyvis Kites has 
offered to set up a Berkeley WEB page with a comments form. I've checked 
it out and it's looking great. Many thanks to you, Rich! Please check it 
out yourselves at http://www.portal.com/~skyvis/berkeley.html

 Chuck
 +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 |    "It is as useless to argue with those who have renounced the use     |
 |    and authority of reason as to administer medication to the dead."    |
 |                                                  - Thomas Jefferson     |
 | Chuck Sigal                                                             |
 | Albany, CA, USA  Voice/Fax: +1.510.527.3547  e-mail: cjsigal@netcom.com |
 +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+



 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =